PhD studentship - Future Ecological Diversity and ‘Blue Carbon Potential’ within Saltmarshes under a Changing Climate, CASE Project with Cefas

Qualification type: PhD

Location: Essex

Funding for: UK Students, EU Students, International Students

Funding amount: All UKRI-funded PhD students (UK, EU, International) will be eligible for the full award – both the stipend to support living costs, and fees at research organisations UK rate. UKRI funding will not cover international fees set by universities, but all ARIES partners have agreed to fund the top-up from UK to international fees. ARIES funding will not cover costs associated with visa or health surcharges, or additional costs associated with entry to, and living in the UK.

Hours: Full Time

Closes: 7 January 2026, 23:59 GMT

Application link: https://www.essex.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/doctoral-training-partnerships/aries

ARIES (Advanced Research and Innovation in the Environmental Sciences) is a Doctoral Landscape Award with the mission “to train postgraduate research students with excellent potential from across society, equipping them with the necessary skills to become 21st Century Scientists: leaders in the science and sustainable business of the natural environment.

Scientific background

Saltmarshes are significant ‘blue carbon’ reservoirs and important for climate mitigation, yet, they are under constant threat and have experienced a large decline globally. Currently there is a lack of information on the role of plants in their ecology and function, especially under a changing climate. This studentship will analyse natural and restored saltmarshes along the Essex and East Scotland coastlines to assess their resilience to climate change and enable policy makers to better manage saltmarshes in the future. This novel studentship characterises plant biodiversity, and plant-microbe specific interactions, across eastern Scotland (‘current climate’ marshes) and eastern England (‘warmer’ future marshes), that drive critical greenhouse gas fluxes and better understand their ‘blue carbon’ role.

Research methodology

A seasonal fieldwork campaign will be conducted along the Essex and East Scottish coastlines (including natural vs. restored; vegetated vs. unvegetated). Gas flux (CO2, N2O) will be measured using Li-Cors and gas chromatography and related to physicochemical parameters (e.g. nutrients, organic carbon, particle size). Plant physiological traits will be measured using spectral radiometers including Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (for chlorophyll content and drought stress), Photochemical Reflective Index (responses to excess light), Normalized Differential Water Index (for water content). Photosynthesis will also be measured via stomatal conductance and chlorophyll fluorescence using porometer/fluorometry. eDNA analysis will characterise the microbial communities using metagenetics (targeting taxonomic/functional genes for carbon cycling) and metagenomics.

• Year 1- Fieldwork (at Essex and St Andrews).
• Year 2- Plant physiology / physicochemistry analysis (Essex / Cefas).
• Year 3- eDNA analyses (Essex).

Training

This interdisciplinary studentship will give the student experience and training in biogeochemistry, plant physiology, and ecology. The student will also benefit from existing datasets, and the expertise of the case partner (Cefas). Regular meetings will be held with the supervisory team to fully support the student and ensure successful project management and delivery.

Person specification

Acceptable first degree subjects: Bachelors degree in Environmental Science, Marine Science, Microbiology, Ecology, Plant Science or Biological Science related subject.

To apply, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.

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